attire

American  

[uh-tahyuhr] / əˈtaɪər /

verb (used with object)

attired, attiring

1. to dress, array, or adorn, especially for special occasions, ceremonials, etc.

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noun

1. clothes or apparel, especially rich or splendid garments.

2. the horns of a deer.

attire British  

/ əˈtaɪə /

verb

1. (tr) to dress, esp in fine elegant clothes; array

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noun

1. clothes or garments, esp if fine or decorative

2. the antlers of a mature male deer

Other Word Forms

• reattire verb (used with object)
• unattired adjective
• well-attired adjective

Etymology

Origin of attire

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English atiren < Anglo-French atirer, Old French atirier, verbal derivative of a tire into a row or rank ( a- ³, tier ¹ ); (noun) Middle English atir < Anglo-French, noun derivative of the v.

Example Sentences

Mr Todd's attire was not too unusual for Portland, known for its quirky culture and left-wing protests that revel in the absurd - public yoga and 80s-style aerobics lessons, and nude cycling groups.

From BBC

Francis also gave the papacy a less formal and more approachable image by spurning regal attire, riding in compact cars and making headlines with blunt comments at news conferences.

From The Wall Street Journal

The day of the assignment I decided to wear a hot pink shirt I had picked up at a thrift store instead of my black-on-black attire.

From Los Angeles Times

The brand’s identity has been diluted by inconsistent design and expansion into non-core categories, such as shoes and professional attire, he added.

From Barron's

Ethiopian police have arrested a sixth popular TikTok creator days after five other influencers were detained over allegations of wearing "indecent attire" at a public event in the culturally conservative country.

From BBC

Related Words

• apparel
• clothes
• costume
• dress
• garb
• getup
• habit
• uniform
• vestment